Nancy Bergeson's best friend and two of her co-workers from the federal public defender's office spoke out Wednesday, sharing their dismay about the unsolved Nov. 24, 2009, violent death of their friend.

"Our office is in such pain over this case," said Lisa Hay, an assistant federal public defender in the Portland office. "We cannot understand why someone would kill Nancy."

Bergeson, a 57-year-old assistant federal public defender known for her independent spirit and deep commitment to work, was found Nov. 24, 2009, lying face down in the dining room of her Southwest Portland home. A girl who stopped by daily to walk her golden retriever saw her through a front window and alerted a neighbor.

Portland patrol officers were called to the home in the 4100 block of Southwest Hamilton Street about 3 p.m. that day. Then a police forensic criminalist and a deputy medical examiner went to the home. The deputy medical examiner thought it was a natural death, and Bergeson's body was removed from the home.

When an autopsy was done the next morning, it became clear Bergeson was strangled and homicide detectives were called to the house. There was no sign of forced entry; the house wasn't ransacked.

But police said this week for the first time there were signs that Bergeson fought back against her attacker.

"It was so consistent with my best friend," said Colleen Scissors, who had worked with Bergeson for eight years at the federal public defenders office until moving to Colorado in 1998, where she's now in private practice.

"There was no way she wouldn't fight back," Scissors said, speaking at the Portland Police Bureau on Wednesday.

She described Bergeson as a strong woman who was a regular Dragon Boat competitive rower, who hiked and loved the outdoors.

Without knowing what happened, Scissors said she suspected whoever attacked her friend had to be bigger than Bergeson.

Scissors had communicated with Bergeson by e-mail about 9 or 10 p.m. the night before her death.

"She had gotten a verdict, and she was pretty upset about it," Scissors said.

Since Bergeson's death, her family and friends have worked to support Bergeson's daughter, Jamie.

Scissors said she'll be officiating at daughter Jamie Bergeson Bradshaw's wedding on Labor Day in Park City, Utah. Bergeson's daughter will be attending Stanford University's business school in the fall.

Amy Baggio, another co-worker of Bergeson, said she learned immensely from Bergeson, whom she described as a friend to all in the federal public defender's office.

"She was funny and fun and as beautiful inside as out," Baggio said.

She said "not having any sense or even a remote idea" to why someone would harm "a person who brought such joy" is distressing.

"It's devastating," Baggio said. Of Bergeson, she added, "She was relentless in her pursuit of justice. What we want is her to have that same justice."

The bureau's Cold Case Homicide Unit will now assist the lead detectives on the case.

Lead Det. Michele Michaels declined any comment on the investigation, other than to say, "I hope someone who may have information today will give us a call."

"We just keep working it," Michaels said.

On Wednesday afternoon, the second annual Nancy Bergeson Ardent Advocate Lecture Series will be held at The Ace Hotel event space at 403 SW 10th Ave. A reception will be at 4:30 p.m. in memory of Bergeson and as a celebration of defense attorneys.

Scissors, Bergeson's friend, is the keynote speaker at 5 pm. Her talk is titled, "Remembering Defense Basics: Building Trust and Humanizing our Clients.''

"The point is to bring an ardent advocate to inspire us and remind people why we do this," Hay said.

The lecture series is is sponsored by Pacific Northwest Law, the Federal Bar Association, Federal Public Defender's Office, the U.S. District Court Attorney Admissions Fund, and the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

Portland police ask anyone with information in the case to contact Detective Michele Michaels at 503-823-0692 or Detective Bryan Steed at 503-823-0395.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers, that leads to an arrest in this case, or any unsolved felony, and you can remain anonymous. Call Crime Stoppers at (503) 823-HELP, leave a tip online at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com, or text 823 plus your tip and send it to CRIMES, (274697).